African Environmental Constitutionalism as an Innovator in Business and Human…
Introduction African environmental constitutionalism derives from the broader concept of environmental constitutionalism, which operates on a spectrum from ‘thin’ to…
African Solutions for African Challenges: How African Legal Frameworks are…
Introduction African realities require African solutions, and the Business and Human Rights (BHR) discourse is shifting from abstract theoretical frameworks…
The EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement and Corporate Accountability: Opportunities and…
Bridging Trade and Human Rights in Southern Africa The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and the Southern…
Justice Without Business and Human Rights Jurisdiction: The Case of…
Introduction Pursuant to Article 23 (1) of the EAC Treaty 1999, the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) is the…
Building on Nyerere: Rethinking Business and Human Rights through the…
Starting on Solid Ground Regions across the so-called ‘Global South’ are rich in resources, such as oil, minerals, cobalt, gold…
The Making of an African Approach to Business and Human…
The African System as a “Norm Leader” As Obiora Okafor and Godwin Dzah wrote, the African human rights system is…
- African Environmental Constitutionalism as an Innovator in Business and Human RightsIntroduction African environmental constitutionalism derives from the broader concept of environmental constitutionalism, which operates on a spectrum from ‘thin’ to ‘thick’. According to Kotzé, the thin, and arguably more limited, variant entails the application of constitutional environmental rights to achieve environmental protection goals. In contrast, the ‘thick’ model integrates a wide array of essential governance…
- African Solutions for African Challenges: How African Legal Frameworks are Reshaping Business and Human Rights PracticeIntroduction African realities require African solutions, and the Business and Human Rights (BHR) discourse is shifting from abstract theoretical frameworks to tangible enforcement mechanisms across the continent. While global BHR discussions often emphasise Western regulatory models, distinct approaches have developed in African jurisdictions that offer valuable insights into corporate accountability, human rights and environmental protection,…
- The EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement and Corporate Accountability: Opportunities and Limitations for Protecting Human RightsBridging Trade and Human Rights in Southern Africa The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) States represents a significant milestone in regional trade integration. Yet beneath its economic provisions lies a more complex question: can trade agreements effectively advance corporate accountability for human rights? This agreement…
- Equitable Urban Transitions in Africa: Legal Opportunities and ConstraintsIntroduction Urbanisation in sub-Saharan Africa is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, with the urban population projected to grow from approximately 472 million in 2020 to over 1.2 billion by 2050, raising the proportion of city dwellers from 43 % to nearly 60 % of the total population. This rapid growth presents both opportunities and challenges for equitable urban development.…
- Inclusive Urban Transitions and Planning Law in East Africa: A Comparative Review of Kenya, Rwanda, and EthiopiaIntroduction Rapid urbanisation across East Africa presents opportunities and profound challenges for sustainable and equitable development. While urban populations have grown rapidly, this growth has not consistently translated into improved productivity or equitable development. Colonial legacies of segregated and car-oriented planning persist disadvantaging the majority who rely on non-motorised transport. Equitable urban transitions therefore require…
- State obligations in addressing Climate Change: The interplay between the climate treaty regime and international Human Rights lawIntroduction Recent climate events illustrate the growing human impact of climate change.[1] However, the legal framework governing state responsibility remains fragmented. This short piece argues that while climate treaties provide the primary institutional framework for mitigation, adaptation and international cooperation, human rights law imposes more stringent and enforceable duties on states. I highlight how the…
- Child Marriage in Somalia: Legal Pluralism and the Limits of International Human Rights ImplementationIntroduction: Child Marriage in Contemporary Somalia In 2025, Somalia ratified the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.[1] Ten years earlier, the country had also ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which clarifies the age of majority as 18.[2] The move was met with protests, with men arguing that…
- The Human Rights Situation in the Federal Republic of Somalia: Challenges and Perspectives Introduction The Federal Republic of Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, bears the scars of a past marked by colonial rule, a brief period of independence, and a devastating civil war that began in 1991. The collapse of the central government plunged the country into years of anarchy and clan-based violence, while also enabling…
- Investment and Investor Protection in SomaliaIntroduction With Somalia’s accession to the East African Community (EAC), the internal market of this community is also becoming increasingly attractive for foreign investments. A common market with over 300 million populations is developing, and there is not only a common internal market. It also has an excellent strategic location from the Indian Ocean to…
- A Digital Pathway to Integration Beyond Legal Frameworks to Digital RealityIntroduction The region’s track towards integration has been long: legal frameworks have been established, the Customs Union has been formed,[1] the Common Market Protocol has been put in place,[2] and the Monetary Union is the ultimate goal pursued for more than 20 years[3]. But the gap between policy and practice is wide: intra-EAC trade has…
- The Message Communicated to African Regionalisation Following the Creation of the Alliance of Sahel States-AESIntroduction The Alliance of Sahel States, also known in French as the ‘Alliance des Etats du Sahel’ (AES), is a confederation formed by Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali.[1] The AES was established in September 2023, following the adoption of the Charter of Liptako-Gourma, which establishes the Alliance of Sahel States.[2] The AES Charter was signed…
- How African countries are managing the potentially catastrophic risks of just transition through the investment regimeIntroduction Foreign investment has long been an important policy tool for countries seeking to transform their economies. The international investment regime—comprising treaties and institutions—has supported this objective by creating policies to attract and protect investment. For developing countries, foreign investment plays a particularly crucial role in alleviating poverty, generating employment opportunities, and fostering economic…